In this blog post, I’ll summarize how the study methods, school activities, volunteer work, and reading I engaged in during high school influenced my character and career path.
Writing about my academic experiences and reflections
Let’s make studying fun by organizing information with tables and diagrams!
I’ve never been good at retaining information for long by simply memorizing text. Although I enjoyed social studies, I often struggled with subjects like Korean Geography and Korean History because memorizing the historical flow was difficult, and I was frequently dissatisfied with my grades. Then, I happened to discover that if I linked visual elements—such as charts, diagrams, and maps—to the content, the information stayed in my memory much longer. For example, I once focused intensely on memorizing a map right before an exam, and the experience of achieving good grades in Modern History and Korean History based on that became a major turning point for me.
From then on, I stopped simply skimming over the illustrations and tables in my textbooks; instead, I actively examined and studied them to apply them to my learning. By looking at maps, summary charts, and illustrations while organizing related theories alongside them, I tried to understand the images and text together rather than separating them. If there was content I simply couldn’t memorize, I used methods like creating my own tables or drawing pictures to visualize and commit the information to memory.
For example, when memorizing certain rules of Korean grammar, I created visual images instead of relying on rote memorization. I linked letters like ‘ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄷ, ㄹ, ㅁ, ㅂ, ㅇ’—which appear in the rules for final consonants in syllables—to an image of a “thin water droplet,” and this helped me remember them much longer. When memorizing ancient ruins, I drew pictures of the terrain or shapes of the regions where they were located and memorized them by tracing those shapes. Similarly, when memorizing dates, I used specific situations or sounds (such as associating a date with the phrase “Ee-gu, ee-gu!”) instead of simple rote memorization.
This learning method, which relies on visualization, has the advantage of enabling long-term retention and rapid acquisition, making it the core of my study approach. Since then, I have continued to actively utilize visual organization and creative associations to enhance my learning efficiency.
Major School Activities and Reflections
Engaging with Diverse Issues Through the Social Debate Club
I grew up in a relatively stable family environment and lived my life believing I was distant from the social issues commonly encountered in my surroundings. Since my parents were teachers, our family’s financial situation was not particularly difficult, and I naturally grew up leading a comfortable life. Consequently, until then, I tended to dismiss issues like crime or social inequality as “someone else’s problem,” and I often simply assumed that people who encountered such problems were responsible for their own misfortune.
However, an incident that occurred at school instantly broadened my perspective. A student at my school nearly got kidnapped by a taxi driver. Fortunately, they were rescued safely, but I was deeply shocked. Realizing that a friend like me—someone who had never strayed from an ordinary daily routine—could be put in danger simply because they took a taxi to and from school, I came to realize that “the world I knew” was not the whole picture.
Since then, I’ve paid closer attention to the issues happening around me, which naturally led me to join the social debate club. Our club was a place where we actively debated topics from newspapers and current events, and through intense discussions with friends from diverse backgrounds, I realized just how narrow my perspective on the world had been. As I encountered realities I hadn’t known before—such as domestic violence, divorce, and issues facing the socially vulnerable—my way of thinking broadened.
There are many problems in the world, but I want to focus on education
Through my club activities, as I encountered various social issues, I came to believe that “education” lies at the core of problem-solving. I felt that to fundamentally prevent crime and inappropriate behavior, it is crucial to educate people properly from a young age and instill sound values in them. For this reason, I resolved to become a true educator and began to devote myself more deeply to the field of education.
Examples of Compassion, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
Even the strength of a single person is important and precious
As part of a class-wide volunteer activity, I once participated in a winter kimchi-making event for people living in shantytowns. That day happened to be the day of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), and the weather suddenly turned very cold, making the work feel even more difficult. The cabbages were heavy, grating the radishes was tedious, and the damp surroundings made my hands numb and fatigue set in quickly. Seeing the mountain of work ahead, I was initially overcome with fear, wondering when we would ever finish.
However, watching my classmates step forward and start working, I naturally joined in as well. Many of my classmates were exhausted or on the verge of giving up, but the actions of a few who took the initiative changed the entire atmosphere. Working together made what seemed impossible possible, and each individual’s contribution came together to form a great strength. I experienced how simply “doing it together”—without the need for verbal encouragement—doubled our courage and strength.
That day, I deeply realized the value of working together and discovered the joy of volunteering for the first time. Since then, I have consistently participated in volunteer and donation activities, and I have come to cherish the joy of achieving something as a group.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation and Career Plans
Dreaming of Becoming a Teacher, I Began Reading Books
I was originally a quiet and reserved person, and that was the image others always had of me. Because of this, I often came across as passive and lacking in courage. However, reading breathed new possibilities and courage into me. One novel, in particular, became a major turning point for me. While reading a Japanese novel about the adventures and vibrant lives of carefree high school students, I asked myself, “Why can’t I live like that?” and gradually came to realize the reasons I had been holding myself back.
Since then, I have broadened my horizons through various books and media. Literary works gave me the courage to explore unconventional perspectives, while documentaries and social programs helped me develop a sense of social justice and awareness of societal issues. These experiences with reading and information transformed me from a quiet, passive person into someone who thinks and acts, which led to volunteer work and social engagement.
Ultimately, reading influenced my character and values, inspiring me to dream of a career in education. The courage and critical awareness I gained from books evolved into a firm conviction about the career path I want to pursue, and it has motivated me to continue studying diligently and gaining diverse experiences to become an educator.
